Communication and Media Studies at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 10,556 students in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $23,307/yr, trailing the $28,401 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 35.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 55% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At #12 out of 16 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,307 to $36,514 over five years (57% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Public Affairs (Military Only) with a median wage of $69,780/yr) connects to Communication and Media Studies careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
31
Low End
39
Score
43
High End
Earnings $23,307/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (45% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$407K
11.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,514
57% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Communication and Media Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Public relations managers $138,520 +5.0% 45%
Fundraising managers $123,480 +4.2% 44%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Public relations managers
$138,520
+5.0% growth 45% AI-proof
Fundraising managers
$123,480
+4.2% growth 44% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

About Communication and Media Studies Careers

Your career could start in a fast-paced public relations agency, where you’ll spend your days drafting press releases, pitching stories to journalists using media databases, and managing a company's social media presence. Another common path is in fundraising for non-profits, writing compelling grant proposals and using donor management software to build relationships and plan events.

Read the full Communication and Media Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Communication and Media Studies Overview

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Communication and Media Studies program score?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?
The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY LaGuardia Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Is there demand for Communication and Media Studies workers?
With approximately 83,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Communication and Media Studies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →